Stephen Swyer discusses NUI Galway’s men’s rugby team, their successes and what’s in store this season…
After last year’s success in the Maughan Scally Intervarsity Competition, where NUIG took the spoils, the college have started the season as they mean to continue.
With back to back, emphatic wins, over Carrick and Galwegians, NUIG men’s rugby couldn’t have wished for a better start to the season.
This year marks the first time in 15 years since the club has had two junior teams competing and they hope to make it a year to remember.
College’s winning streak was unfortunately put to an end as they came up short against Sligo on the second weekend in October. After a lacklustre first half, where NUIG conceded twenty points, they fought valiantly in the second half to come back to within six. Regrettably, it was too little too late.
With state of the art facilities in Dangan, such as the new gym, it’s not hard to see why the results are going College’s way. Along with the new facilities, the junior’s will be sporting a fresh new kit this year courtesy of BLK; the same manufacturers as the Connacht Rugby team.
The coaching staff have been brilliant, helping to mould this group of young men into a winning team. NUIG will be spreading their new brand of rugby overseas at the end of the season. The college will be travelling to Boston on a significant international rugby tour in May: ‘The Two Bulls Tour 2014′.
So far, there has been a huge effort made by all involved and we hope that this effort can turn into results on the field. New and/or beginners are always welcome. Training takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Dangan Sports Pavilion. For more information visit http://nuigrugby.com/
